Strong bonds aid Phoenix if injuries don't tear Elon team apart

ELON — Developments within the Elon University men’s basketball team are trending in positive and negative directions.

From the not-so-good file: Starting point guard Austin Hamilton hasn’t improved since hurting his knee 10 nights ago at Western Carolina.

Elon coach Matt Matheny said Wednesday the Phoenix still is waiting on an MRI for a more conclusive diagnosis — insurance complications have delayed the scan — and reiterated his concern that Hamilton could be shelved for the rest of the season.

“His knee is not good,” Matheny said. “He’s still limping when he walks. He hasn’t come close to practicing.

“So we just kind of continue to move forward. We prepare as best we can with the guys who are healthy and mentally prepare the guys who are not physically healthy.”

What’s more, with reserve guard Kevin Blake also out, Josh Bonney (essentially the team’s third point guard) has received a dramatic increase in playing time while walk-on John Moody has been called on for spot duty.

But therein lies some of the good stuff at work for the Phoenix, which tonight can extend its Southern Conference winning streak to four games in a row.

“We’re starting to really figure out who we are,” forward Lucas Troutman said, “and we’re coming back with a statement, saying this is who we are and we’re not going down. We are a veteran team; we are a strong team; we are a tough team.”

And, increasingly it seems, a together team.

When Matheny finished a routine halftime address Saturday night and left the locker room with about six minutes remaining before the second half — Elon trailed Wofford 29-27 then in what became a 68-61 victory — assistant coach Tim Sweeney picked up on inspiring connections and lines of communication.

“We were very engaged with each other,” Matheny said. “The chatter amongst our players at halftime with each other was something that was really good for our team. Our guys were talking to each other about players, about plays, about situations, and that’s a sign of leadership taking hold of the team.”

Tip-off

Who: Chattanooga (8-11, 3-3) at Elon (11-7, 4-2)

When: 7 tonight

Where: Alumni Gym, Elon

Series: Chattanooga leads 11-9

Tip-in: Elon junior guard Jack Isenbarger is five points shy of 1,000 for his career. He’s set to become the 35th player in school history to reach that milestone.